Saints' Milsom is "Trekking 4 Transplants"

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Duluth, MN (Northland's NewsCenter) --- St. Scholastica senior Daman Milsom will be biking across Canada this summer, all in an effort to raise money and awareness for organ transplants.

"It all started last summer when I went back to British Columbia for my buddy's wedding, and my girlfriend and I started talking how cool a trip would be riding our bikes across Canada," Milsom said. "Initially, it was just an idea, but then we figured we had to do it for a cause, if we were going to do it."

The more they thought, the more obvious a cause they both cared about became.

"At the time, Kibby's father was waiting for a liver transplant," Milsom said, "so we kind of said, 'Why not?'"

Kibby's father has since received his transplant, but she and Daman remain committed to their ride. It will be a three-month, 5,600-mile trip across Canada that the pair has dubbed "Trekking 4 Transplants.

The goal is to raise $50,000 and encourage 10,000 new people to become organ donors. The money raised will be donated to the Transplant Research Foundation of British Columbia, but Milsom notes the research will help people across the world.

Milsom was a four-year player for the St. Scholastica hockey team, appearing in 107 games during his career. He scored two goals and had 12 assists in that time, but he says biking is new to his athletic repertoire.

"For me, it's mostly been hockey, playing at St. Scholastica for four years," Milsom said. "I've been trying to bike throughout the season, and after the season I picked it up a bit. I'm a novice biker."

His inexperience on the open road, though, will be made up for with his drive and determination.

"He was a captain the past two years and an alternate captain his sophomore year," Saints men's hockey coach Mark Wick said. "He's just a great man of integrity, a great leader. He leads by example, he's committed, and he's a guy that everybody in the [locker] room respects."

"He's a very respectful person, intelligent, and really enjoyable to be around," St. Scholastica head athletic trainer Kim Moncel said. "He's a really easy guy to just talk to, so I'm excited to see what he'll do with this."

"The four years here have been a great experience," Milsom said. "The leadership role I was given has been an honor, and it definitely built my leadership skills over the past four years. If it's brought me here or somewhere else, it's definitely helped me."

Milsom and Evans have already raised more than $10,000 toward their goal and hope to raise more as the ride begins. To learn more about their trip and how to donate, you can visit the Trekking 4 Transplants web site or visit their official Facebook page.